Automatically-controlled shutter



,7 11,523,541 F; J. IRVING AUTOMAT I CALLY CONTROLLED SHUTTER Filed Jan. 15, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet l NA dos m1 Ike Mfg F. J. HQ\/IP4C5 AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLED SHUTTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jam. l5,

Jan. 20. 1925. 1,523,541

F. J. IRVING AUTOMATI CALLY CONTROLLED SHUTTER Filed Jan: 15, 19235 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan, 20,

11,523,541 F. J. IRVING AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLED SHUTTER Filed Jan. 15, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Jan. 2@,. 1925.

NIJTEDV STATES I szegsn PATENT OFFICE.

. l FRANK JOSIAH IRVING, OF CHICAGO, ILLINUI S, A SSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIG NMENTS, TO PINES WINTER-FRONT COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPOBATIQN OF DELAWARE.

AUTOMATICALLY-CONTROLLED sni u'rrnn.

; Application filed January 15, 1923. Serial are. 612,534.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK JOSIAH IRvING, a citizen of the United States, and a resldent of the city of Chicago, in thecounty of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automati- Cally-Controlled Shutters; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the numerals of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification. I

My invention relates to improvements in the automatic control of radiator shuttersby a thermostat, operating on the servo principle. It is particularly intended for use with internal combustion engines to regulate the cooling effect thereon of a stream of air drawn through the radiator used in connection with a water cooling system. .It is of course apparent that my invention is equally suited to control the air supply for air. cooled engines, which of course do not require radiators. q p

Heretofore devices have been used for controlling'the air supply, such as manually operated shutters on the radiator, or shutters operated directly by a thermostat. In the former case the operator has an additional burden of adjustmentlaid on his shoulders, while in the latter case it has been found that the varying conditions of construction and lubrication in service has seriously afiected the operation of the themostat, which is necessarily a delicate instrument of very limited capabilities, as to operating other mechanisms. My invention is intended t5 avoid the difliculties and defects of both these prior systems. I

. It is an objectof my invention to provide a shutter control system that will close the shutters as soon as the motor stops, to retain as much as possible of the heat present as long as possible, in order torender restarting less troublesome. 7 Furthermore, the shutters remain closed while the motor is warming up after starting, thereby rapidly warming up the motor and "thus securing more efiicient operation.- As a corollary to this, I secure a reduction of crank case dilution, which occurs principally when the motor is cold and thestarting choke is pulled out. v

It is animportantobject of my invention to provide a shutter mechanism operated by the suction existing the intake manifold of a runn ng engine and controlled by a thermostatically operated balanced valve that can be arranged in close proximity to a surface of the radiator itself so that the temperature of the water in the radiator is the controlling factor rather than the temperature of the water jacket 'of the engine, thereby protecting the radiator against freezing. It is well known that with thermostatic control of the water outlet of the engine a frozen radiator is a fairly common occurrence in cold weather, especially when driving against a head wind.

his a very important object of my inventlon to provide a radiatorshield fermpplication to existing. radiatorshells that will be entirely self-contained and require only a 'connection to the inlet manifold to operate the same.- Only the outline of the shield need be changed to fit the radiator shell opening of the various standard "makes of cars. The advantages of such an arrangement ofparts will be apparent when considering the application of my apparatus to 'existing types of motor vehicles.

Other and further important objects of this invention will b apparent from the disclosures in the drawings and specification.

The invention (in a preferred form) is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary rear elevation of the radiator shield of.- my invention.

. Figure 2 is a section onthe line 2-2 of Figure 1, showing the shutters in closed position.

Figure 3 is a section similarto Figure 2 showing the shutters in open position.

. Figure 4 is an enlarged central section of the thermostat valve in a. Figure .1.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary rear elevation plane parallel to a of a modified form of my invention.

Figure 6 is a section on the line .Figure 5. I

Figure 7 is an enlarged section of :the cylinder on the line 7-7 of Figure 5 with the details of the radiator shield omitted.

Figure 8 is a reduced front elevation of the device of my invention illustrated in Figure 5.

Figure 9 is an enlargedsection of the thermostatically operated valve mechanism on the line 99 of Figure 5.

Figure 10 is an enlarged section on the line 1010 of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a section on the line 11-11 of Figure 9.

Figure 12 is an enlarged section on the line 1212 of Figure 5.

Figure '13 is an enlarged section on the line 13l3 of, Figure 3. I

Figure 14 is a rear elevation of adevice embodying another modification of my invention.

my device is to be fitted. When using myv invention as factory equipment on an auto- 7 mobile, this shield will be an integral part ofthe radiator shell itself, no.t necessarily projecting beyond the line'of the balance of the radiator shell;

Bearing brackets 2 are secured to each side of an opening in the shield intended for a plurality of pivoted shutters 3, which are supportedon rods 4 mounted in the bearing brackets 2 and having one end in the form of a crank 5 for turning the shutters. The series of shutters are operated as one unit by a connecting rod 6- having apertures through which the cranks 5 are inserted, as shown in Figure 13. The connecting rod member 6 is formed of a strip of sheet metal bent as shown and slotted at proper intervals for the cranks. The interior of this formed rod'is filled by a felt strip 7 which serves both as a lubricator for the cranks and as an anti-rattle device. -The joint in the formed connectin rod is covered on the inside by a rod 8 o proper size secured therein in any suitable way, which rod also acts to close the slots for the cranks 5. As

shown in Figures 1 and 2, a downward movementof the connecting rod 6 will tend to open tlie overlapping shutters 3 as in Fig ure 3.

. I u o I I I The operating mechanism comprises a pivoted lever 9 connected at one end to the connecting rod 6 and at'the other end to a cord 10 leading over a pulley to a'suction operated mechanism'consisting of a piston 11 and rod 12 slidable in a cylinder 13.- Details of the cylinder used on the form of my invention illustrated in Figure 5 are shown in Figure 7, and the cylinder of Figure 1 is of the same construction with a smaller diameter and longer stroke because of the increased leverage obtained in the forni of construction illustrated in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 7, the cylinder 13 is closed by a cap 14 having a-piping connection 15. The piston 11 is formed by a cup-shaped leather washer 16 faced and backed by metal washers 17 secured on the piston rod 12 by nuts 18 threaded thereon. The cup leather 16 is expanded by a spring 19 to secure a better seal.

A pipe connection 20 leads from the cap 14 to a thermostatic control member-21 and another pipe connection 22 leads from this member to a source of sub-atmospheric pressure such as the intake manifold of an engine or to a branch of the vacuum line to the the valve, normally forces the saine .outwardly so that the Valve cuts off the passage 26 from passage 27. The valve rests against the free end of a strip of thermostatic metal 28 fastened to -the box at its other end and free tovbend iipon application of heat to force the valve 24 inwardly, to open communication between the passages 26 and 27 which communicate with the pipes 20 and 22. The only difference between the control members'21 of Figures 1 and 5 is that Figure 1' has the ipes 20 and 22'lengthwise of the box as in igure 4, while that of Figure 5 hasthe pipes crosswise as in Figure 11. The side of the box 21 marked R is intended to come into intimate contact with some part of the radiator so that the thermostatic ele ment 28 willv be properly responsive to temperature changes in the radiator. To secure a firm contact the box 21 is flexibly mounted -on the shield 1 by meansof a-spring member 29 riveted to the box at its center, the ends of"the spring being inserted in pockets 30 soldered to the rear surface of the shield to prevent displacement of the box, while pressing the box firmly against the radiator.

The modification shown in Figure 5 differs from that shown in Figure 1 in that the shutters 3 are arranged to open inwardly instead of outwardly, necessitating a change in the form of the linkage between the piston.

rod 12 and the connecting rod 6 embracing leading the cord 10 from the lever 9* over two pulleys 31 mounted in .a bracket32.

The modification disclosed in' Figures 14 25 seated in the bottom of the aperture for lit) and'15 difl'ers only in the form of the .shutters and thelinkage from the suction actuated piston. In. this form the shutters 3 are of a. balanced construction, and are mounted on the rod 4, and a spring 33 serves to normally hold the shutters closed. A-

spring 34 is inserted in back of the piston 11- as an additional help in maintaining the normal closed position. The linkage from the piston rod 12 comprises a connecting rod 37 engaging with'an" extension 38 of a rod 39 connecting the cranks 5.

It is further entirely feasible to apply my operating mechanism to vertically arranged shutters with only slight changes that will be readily apparent. I

The operation is as follows:

When the circulating water is cool and the engine is first started, the radiator shutters 3 will be closed in their normal position as in Figures 2 and 6. As long as the engine is running, a suction will exist in the pipe 22 leading to the thermo staticeontrol box 21, but it will be shut 0E irom'the operating'cylinder 13 until the circulating water warms up to the desired point. luasmuch as the thermostatic strip 28 is held close to a surface of the radiator near the radiator inlet or top tank, thestrip 28 will warm up in correspondence to the temperature of the water within the radiator and will warp inwardly as it warms up, pushing the valve 24 in and thus opening communication; between passages 26 /and 27. With the valve in this position the cylinder 13 is subjected to the suction existing in the intake manifold of the engine, which draws the piston 11 and rod 12 inwardly, thus operating the connecting rod 6', by means of the linkage connecting the two rods, to cause the shutters to open. As soon as the suction ceases or the water temperature drdps, the cylinder is relieved from the subatmospheric pressure and theshutters are allowed to close.

It is thus apparent that upon stopping the engine the shutters automatically close at once and thus conserve the heat' present in the cooling system for a much longer time than would be possible with shutters operated directly by a, thermostat, which would not operate to close the shutters until Cal after thewater had cooled. r The operation of the modification disclosed in Fig. 14 is very similar, as suction on the 11 rotates the bell crank 36 clockwise, pressing the rod 39 downwards"thus rotating the shutters into open position.

I am'- aware that numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

- member, together with a spring by which I claim as my invention:

1. A radiato'r shield, a plurality ofh p ters pivotally mounted thereon, a connecting rod for operating the shutters in unison, operating mechanism therefor omprising a c linder mounted on the shield, a piston reclprooable therein, connections from said piston to tne shutter connecting 0a, a source of sub-atmospheric pressure, a passaged connection from the cylinder to the source of pressure, a regulatingvalve in said passaged connection, and a thermostat mounted on the shield and connected to said regulating valve for controlling thesame.

2. A radiator shield. a plurality of shutters pivotally mounted thereon, a connecting rod for operating the shutters in 11111- son, operating mechanism therefor comprising a cylinder mounted on the shield, a piston reciprocable therein, connections from said piston to the shutter connecting rod, a source of sub-atmospheric pressure, a passaged connection from the cylinder to the source of pressure, a regulating valve in said .passaged connection, and a strip of thermostatic metal arranged to operate said regulating valve.

3. The combination with a cooling system and the radiator thereof, of means to be atj tached thereto for cutting ofi the flow of 9 air therethrough, a cylinder on said means, a suction actuated piston reciprocable there in and adapted to move the said means into 1 "inoperative position, a balanced valve for oontrollin the suction of said piston, and a strip 0 operate said balanced valve. W

a. In a shield for attachment to the front of a radiator, a'frame carrying a pluralityof shutters adapted to control the flow of air through the radiator, a suction-actuated device carried by the frame for operating said shutters and thermostatic valve mechanism also carried by the frame for control ling the application of suction to said suction-a'ctuatfi device, said thermostatic valve mechanism comprising a heat-conducting box, a spring for supporting said box on the frame and for-urging it into contact with ,theradiator, a heat-responsive element in said box and a valve also located within said x and comprising a movable valve momv ber actuated b said heat-responsive element. 5. In a shie d for attachment to the front of a radiator, a frame carrying a plurality of shutters adapt@ to control the flow of air through the radiator, a suction-actuated device carried by the frame for operating said shutters and thermostatic-valve mechas nism also carried by the frame for controlling the application of suction to said suc-,

thermostatic metal arranged to.

IOU

, tion-actuated device, said thermostatic valve mechanism comprising a valve housing, a movable valve member, and a heat-responsive device for actuating said movable valve *said valve elements and said heat-responsive'device are supported on the frame and are held in proximity to the front face of the radiator.

6. In a radiator shutter attachment of the I ported by the frame and urged a ainst the radiator when the frame is operab y mounted on the radiator.

7. In aradiator shutter attachment of the type wherein the shutters are fluid-pressure operated and thermostatically controlled, a frame, a thermostatic valve device compris ing a box-like housing of heat-conducting ma-. terial, a metallic Permal element disposed ,within the .box an having one end fixed thereto, the other end of the thermal element being free to move under changes of temperature, a reciprocating-valve member having one end disposed" against the free end of said thermal element and operatedthereby, and a light spring urgingsaid reciprocating valve member against the thermal element. J

8. In a radiator shutter'attachmentof the type wherein the shutters are fluid-pressure operated and thermostatically controlled, a frame, thermostatic valve mechanism, a carrier for said thermostatic valve mechanism,

v and a leaf spring by means of which the said carrier is supported by the frame and urged against the radiator when the frame is in operative position on the, radiator.

9. In a radiator shutter attachment of the type wherein the shutters are fluid-pressure operated and thermostatically controlled, a

frame, a thermostatic valve mechanism, a box' contam1n said thermostatic valve mechanism, and a eaf sprlng which has 1ts central portion attached to said box and its 10. In a radiator shutter attachment of the type wherein the shuttersare fluid-pres sure operated and thermostatically controlled, aframe forming part of said attachment, a thermostatic valve mechanism, a earner for sald'thermostatlc' valve mechanism, and atleafspring attached near its central portion to said carrier, said spring bein bowed away from the frame and having 1ts ends attached to the frame, one of said ends being movable with respect/to the frame to permit said spring to yield and thereby allow said box to move toward and away from the frame. a

In testimony whereof I have hereuntosubscribed my name in the'presence of two subscribing witnesses.

- FRANK JOSIAH IBYING; Witnesses: J W

EDMUND Bpnkn, 'Lns'ran 

